Can Christ & Peter Both be “Rocks”?

Last updated on: April 21, 2022 at 10:33 am By Dave Armstrong

[see book and purchase information] Matthew 16:18 (RSV) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. Catholics have solid exegetical and linguistic reasons (agreed to by many prominent Protestant exegetes) for why we believe Jesus was calling Peter himself the rock (not Peter’s faith or Christ Himself). Presently, however, I am dealing with one particular objection made to this view: the notion... Read more

Is First Clement Non-Papal? (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: April 19, 2022 at 2:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

[link for book and purchase information] I dealt with this topic at length with Reformed Protestant apologist Matt Hedges (Pope St. Clement of Rome & Papal Authority, 7-28-21). As of this date he has not yet answered it. Today I discovered some instances of Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer making the same argument. So I’ll revisit the topic and address his dubious claims. Jason’s words will be in blue. Those he cites for his argument will be in green and... Read more

James Swan, St. Augustine & “This Rock”

Last updated on: April 19, 2022 at 10:45 am By Dave Armstrong

Protestant anti-Catholic polemicist James Swan has been on an “Augustine & Peter” kick lately, having produced three lengthy treatises on the topic (though he carefully and conveniently avoids key factors, as I will show). He misses the forest for the trees, and demonstrates once again that he has a dim understanding of both the Catholic view on the “required” exegesis of biblical texts and Augustine’s view of the papacy. His words will be in blue. ***** Swan’s first tome was:... Read more

Prophet Elijah and Archaeology

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 9:57 am By Dave Armstrong

Elijah was a biblical prophet and predecessor to the prophet Elisha. He lived in the 9th century BC, during the reign of the wicked King Ahab of Israel [c. 875-853 BC]. His story can be found in the Bible, in 1 Kings chapters 17-21 and 2 Kings, chapters 1 and 2. I’ve already written the paper, Prophet Elisha and Archaeology (4-4-22). Much of the archaeological conformation in that article applies to Elijah as well. Elisha’s name has now been found on... Read more

Dialogue: Biblical Inspiration & Bible “Contradictions”

Last updated on: April 13, 2022 at 9:51 am By Dave Armstrong

This exchange took place in the combox of my article, Jesus’ Last Words: Biblical “Contradictions”? (4-8-21). Words of JohnMC (atheist?) will be in blue. ***** I think it is right to point out that it is not unreasonable to expect texts regarded as holy and revealed to show consistency. Even minor inconsistencies invite scepticism because of the rigorous claims made for the significance of the texts. I fully agree, which is why I have largely devoted my writing and research... Read more

Refutation of 194 Biblical “Contradictions” (#176-194)

Last updated on: April 11, 2022 at 11:26 am By Dave Armstrong

I will be resolving all of the alleged “contradictions” from the web page entitled “194 CONTRADICTIONS, New Testament.” It’s perpetually striking to observe how many of these are obviously not logical contradictions, and how very easy they are to refute (many being patently and evidently absurd). A few here and there do seem to be genuinely perplexing (at first glance) and require at least some thought and study and serious examination (they save my patience). But all are ultimately able to be (in my humble opinion) decisively resolved. Readers can decide whether... Read more